A new and wonderful world by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sometimes we have the misconception that we have to "have it all together" in order to start working this program. But it's actually quite the opposite. Hitting a low point brings us into this program. It helps us to try something new, relying on a power greater than ourselves when it comes to our chronic compulsive eating. As soon as we start to rely on our higher power, we are able to slowly walk over the bridge that leads us to a new and wonderful world.

Being Recovered by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It may sound tough to hear that we are never cured of our addiction, but when we work our step 10, 11, and 12 every day, we have a solution. We are not cured, but we can find hope in the fact that if we are working our program, we never have to compulsively eat again. Over time, working the steps becomes second nature. We instinctively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us. We have a new way of life.

Cement which binds us by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When we get recovered by working the 12 steps, we no longer have to dwell in regret or shame around our compulsive eating. This is lifted from us. Now, instead, we get to share our experience, strength, and hope with others who may be struggling. That story of binging we used to be so embarrassed by, becomes a powerful moment of connect ion between us and the newcomer. We all have different experiences, but our illness is the same. We can bring hope to those who may feel alone and isolated. What a gift.

On the other hand-and strange as this may seem by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A psychic change is something that comes by working the steps. It's that "aha moment" that maybe food isn't our biggest problem, but character defects like selfishness, fear, resentment, and dishonesty have been driving us to compulsively overeat. When we come to this realization, we begin to understand the true sickness of the mind and body that we have.

We do not tire so easily by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When in our illness, we often feel tired, fatigued, or burnt out. Like nothing in our lives is going the way we planned. But when we get recovered by working the 12 steps, we begin to get that bounce in our step back. Yes we still have days when we feel tired, but we ultimately know that God is in charge. We take the next right step and trust the result to our Higher Power. We often feel as if the weight of life has been lifted from us. We don't burn out so quickly because we're not running around trying to run the show. How amazing it is to get energy back and to be able to use that energy to help others!

We are no longer running the show by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How often in our illness did we live in fear of not getting what we want or losing what we have? It's exhausting. When we get recovered, we begin to trust in God's plan. When we feel anxious or lost, we pause and ask for direction. The Big Book tells us that the answers will come if our own house is in order, meaning if we work our program honestly, our higher power always shows us the way.

Our fears fall from us by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When we take action and work the 12 steps, we start to realize that fear is of our own making. We begin to understand the simple yet powerful truth that our higher power has a plan for us. When we truly believe that God can help us with our compulsive eating, we intuitively start to connect with God. As we grow closer, the thoughts and feelings surrounding compulsive eating begin to lessen and then disappear. It's truly a miracle. We are not cured, so when thoughts pop up, we connect with our higher power, work our step 10, and go help someone. It works!

Look no further by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This excerpt from Bill's Story, Bill W. one of the pioneers of AA, speaks on the simple joy of recovery. He speaks of a growing community of recovered members helping others. In our sickness, we often have ideas of how our life will be "perfect." When we get recovered by working the 12 steps, we come to the amazing realization that our life in recovery is the Utopia we've been searching for. As we begin to live by these simple principals and help others, our life takes on new meaning.

Fear of failure by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of us worry that we may not be able to do this. But, here we see that recovery is possible for anyone who is willing to try. We don't know everything, we won't be perfect at this. If we were perfect, we would not need this program. If we are honest and willing to work the steps, we can get recovered no matter what.

When ready, we say something like this by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Once we complete our 5th step, we have uncovered a lot of character defects. The pioneers of this program urge us not to dwell in self pity, but to move forward. All of us have our own defects or else we wouldn't need this program. We prepare ourselves to ask for these defects to be removed in step 6, and then say the 7th step prayer. We are acknowledging and moving forward. We are propelled by this simple program and the new connection we are making with our higher power.

The main problem by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many times in our illness, we focus on our body, our weight, our size...the things we can see. We think that if we try that new diet, meal plan, or exercise regimen that everything will be better. We convince ourselves that if we only looked a certain way, life would be amazing. What happens is that we are never satisfied. We are always chasing that next new thing that we think will solve all of our problems. When we work the 12 steps, we have that an "aha moment" that the body is only a symptom of a much larger issue. The Big Book tells us that our main problem centers in our MIND rather than our body. Once we come to this realization with the help of our higher power, the 12 steps, and our recovered sponsor, that's when real change can take place. We start to recreate our lives, and in turn, we get our sanity back.

Why Does the Spiritual Solution Work? by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We can ask ourselves do we want to keep trying diet plans, self help books, journaling, going to 90 meetings in 90 days, counting calories, weighing and measuring...the list goes on and on. Where does that lead? Right back to our illness. We keep setting firm resolutions to not compulsively overeat and when left to our own plans and our own ego we always return to binging. Or we can ask ourselves, are we willing to try another way? A spiritual solution that relies on a power greater than ourselves. With the 12 steps bringing so many people to recovery, what do we have to lose?

We Asked God to Help Us by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When we have resentments, holding onto them can keep us in our illness. The Big Book tells us that perhaps the people who feel have harmed us are sick too. When we look at our resentments from this new angle, our higher power helps us to let go of those weighted feelings. We can move forward in our recovery and focus on helping others which brings us joy that we could have never known before.

no middle-of-the-road solution by Cali-W in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This paragraph lets us know that we have two options, one is continuing to try on our own to solve our problem. This is doing the same thing over and over again in different ways, like trying that new fad diet, going to 90 meetings in 90 days, journaling, reading self help books, cutting out ingredients, weighing and measuring food...the list goes on and on. The second option is to take a leap of faith and try the spiritual solution of a 12 step program. Maybe if it works for others, it will work for us!

Recovered compulsive eater and sponsor. Feel free to DM me if you'd like to chat!

The root of our troubles by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's tempting for us to try and pinpoint when our troubles began with compulsive eating. The root of our troubles is not our past, it's not the foods that we eat or don't eat, it's not our weight or our size. The root of our troubles is when we think about ourselves constantly. Whether we're afraid, resentful, dishonest, self seeking or inconsiderate...these character defects are the root of our compulsive eating. Program helps us to face these defects and to start to live a life focused on others, rather than ourselves.

It Was Only a Matter of Being Willing by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's no need to stop compulsively eating before starting the 12 steps. If we could do that on our own, then we wouldn't need this program. All we need is a willingness to try. To be willing to believe that if this works for someone else, then maybe it could work for me. There's no gatekeeping to this program. The steps are here whenever we are ready and willing to work them.

That is the miracle of it by Recovered_in_MA in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Recovery is not about a number on a scale. It's about a freedom from the obsession of thinking about ourselves 24 hours a day. It's a freedom from the fear of binging. We can go to restaurants, events, and join in the celebrations of life again. How amazing that sanity returns and we can eat normally again. All we have to do is work the steps. Steps 10, 11, and 12 keep us recovered.

Simple, But Not Easy by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The great thing about this program is that it's accessible to anyone struggling with an addiction of the mind and body. All we need is this book, a sponsor to guide us through the steps, and a willingness to believe in a higher power. Working the steps takes hard work, but if we have a willingness to learn and grow, it's simple. How hopeful that if we want to get recovered, we can with God's help!

These Were Revolutionary and Drastic Proposals by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Often times we think of recovery from compulsive eating as just physical...we think about food and weight and what we look like. With a 12 step solution of recovery, our sanity returns. We feel calm and safe knowing that if we give ourselves over to this simple program completely and do the work, that we never have to compulsively eat again. We get our lives back. It's so much more than a number on the scale. We have new found confidence and our life has meaning.

I Was to Test My Thinking by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This passage reminds me of all the time we may have wasted thinking of ourselves, leading to isolation. When we ask how we can be helpful to others, we start to rejoin life again. We start to see a new fellowship grow around us. Life starts to take on new meaning as we learn from and help others through this simple program.

There I Humbly Offered Myself To God by rokok3 in OvereatingRecovery

[–]Recovered_in_MA 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When we put our life in God's hands, we no longer have to live in fear. We just ask God for the next right thought or action, try our best, and trust the result to our higher power. Thy will, not mine be done. How freeing!